As the sacred rite begins, the devotees call upon Indra, the mighty hero and bull among gods, to approach for the offering of small drops. The immortal gods, rejoicing in their minds, are invited to delight in the sacrifice enriched with ghee. Indra is summoned to the feast, praised for his ever-growing strength and many powers, so that heaven, like his unconquered dominion, may flourish. The prayers reach out to Indra, asking him to come from afar, bringing his aid. He is invoked as the lord of men, with the strongest arms and the thunderbolt in hand, to conquer foes in battles and contests. Indra is beckoned to arrive with his bay steeds, turning toward the worshippers for help and bounty. The thunderer, bountiful and far-seeing, is invited to stand by them in the sacrifice and in their contest for strength. The worshippers call Indra the protector and helper, the easily-invoked hero, and Śakra, the much-invoked. They pray that the bountiful Indra may grant them well-being. May Indra, of excellent guidance and good gifts, be gracious with his help, all-knowing, driving away hatred and making them fearless, so that they may be lords of heroic strength. They seek to be in Indra’s good favor and happy mind, asking him to keep hatred away even from afar. Indra is invoked to come with his delightful bays adorned with peacock plumes, unhindered and unbound, swift as an arrow beyond the bowstring. The Vasiṣṭhas praise Indra, the mighty thunder-armed, with hymns, requesting that he grant them heroes and cattle, always protecting them with blessings. The ritual proceeds: Agni is kindled, the Aśvins are present, the heated vessel is prepared, and the shining Soma is pressed. Sarasvatī, the cow, yields the bright Soma, the strength for Indra. The Aśvins, physicians of the body, and Sarasvatī bring strength during the pressing, carrying power for Indra along the paths. For Indra, Sarasvatī, with Naraśaṃsa and Nagnahu, and the Aśvins place the honeyed medicine in the pressing. Sarasvatī invokes strength and power for Indra, while the Aśvins, with Iḍā, bestow food, nourishment, and wealth. The Aśvins press Soma for Namuci, the bright and flowing drink, which Sarasvatī brings to the altar for Indra to drink. Sarasvatī grants all desires, like protective coverings, shining regions, the two Ashvins, the distant directions, Indra, and both worlds. Uṣas and Night, the Ashvins, the Day, and Indra in the evening with his powers are recognized, beautifully adorned and united with Sarasvatī. The worshippers pray for protection: the Ashvins by day, Sarasvatī by night; the two divine priests and healers, together with Indra, at the pressing of Soma. Threefold, in three ways, Sarasvatī, the Ashvins, and Bhāratī pour out the strong, overflowing Soma, producing exhilaration for Indra. The Ashvins bring healing sweetness, Sarasvatī brings healing, and Tvaṣṭṛ places glory and beauty, form after form, at the Soma pressing. Indra, the Lord of the Forest, rejoicing, pours out the overflowing Soma in due season; Sarasvatī, the cow, milks sweet honey for the Ashvins. With cows, the Ashvins and Sarasvatī place the Soma in the monthly rite, the sweet pressed drink for Indra, with the exclamation svāhā. The Ashvins bring strength in the offering, and Sarasvatī, thinking of Namuci, brings bright, divine wealth and bounty to Indra. With that offering, by which the Ashvins and Sarasvatī increased Indra, he broke open Vala, the treasure, together with Namuci, the Asura. Indra, accompanied by the Ashvins and Sarasvatī, bearing the offering, is strengthened with sacrificial oblation and powers. Those to whom Indra’s strength was given—Savitṛ, Varuṇa, and Bhaga—are joined with the worshipper, the strong-threaded lord of offerings. Savitṛ and Varuṇa give to the worshipper who serves, taking the wealth of Namuci, the strong-threaded, and providing strength and power for Indra. Varuṇa grants sovereignty and power, Bhaga and Savitṛ grant prosperity; possessing strong-threaded glory and strength, they approach the sacrifice. The Ashvins, with cows, give strength; with horses, manliness and power; Sarasvatī, with the offering, increases the worshipper for Indra. The two Nasatyas, beautifully adorned with golden wheels, and Sarasvatī, rich in offerings, are invoked to protect the worshippers in Indra’s works. The two healers, of good deeds, and Sarasvatī, the good milker, who is the slayer of Vṛtra and of a hundred powers, give strength to Indra. The Ashvins, with Soma and Namuci the Asura, drinking deeply with Sarasvatī, are called to aid Indra in his works. Like parents their son, the Ashvins protect Indra with wisdom and powers; Sarasvatī, drinking Soma with Maghavan, joins her energies. In the one who delights in Soma—the wise creator—horses, bulls, oxen, cows, and sheep are released and consecrated. With heartfelt devotion, a lovely thought is composed for Agni. The offering is ready for Agni, like clarified butter for the ladle, like Soma for the cup; the worshippers seek wealth with strength, abundant in heroes, renowned, and great in glory. The Ashvins give sight through their energy, Sarasvatī gives vitality through breath, speech gives strength to Indra, and Indra’s senses are established. The Ashvins are called to come with riches full of cattle and horses, and the Rudras, leaders of men, are invited to approach with sovereignty. No outsider or insider, nor one with hostile intent, nor any mortal enemy, can overpower the mighty and wealthy. The Ashvins are asked to bring wealth shining like tawny gold, opening the paths for the worshippers. Sarasvatī, pure and rich in horses, possessing abundance, is invoked to graciously accept the sacrifice, she who is wise and wealthy. Sarasvatī, inspirer of noble words and awakener of good thoughts, has established the sacrifice, completing the sacred offering and ensuring the blessings of the gods.